in this issue:
abortion: DOWN SYNDROME / KANSAS
birth control pill: CANCER RISK
euthanasia: GEORGE FELOS
human embryos: THREE PARENTS
in vitro fertilization: SPECIAL BABIES?
morning-after abortion pills: ADOLESCENTS
sterilization: ILLINOIS
wisdom: FR. PAUL SCALIA
zinger: HURRICANE RELIEF
reflection for prayer: HUMILITY
abortion
DOWN SYNDROME: A recent study provides proof that regardless of the type of prenatal testing being used, the most frequent response is the abortion of a Down syndrome baby. Of those mothers going through one or more tests, it is reported that 70 percent chose abortion, and according to researchers, provided a societal savings of $8,516 per baby killed by abortion.
(Reading: “A cost-effectiveness analysis of prenatal screening strategies for Down syndrome,” Obstetrics and Gynecology, 9/1/05, pp. 562-568)
KANSAS: State attorney general Phill Kline has gone to the Kansas supreme court for permission to investigate abortion clinic medical records. According to Kline, up to 75 girls under the age of 14 have abortions annually in his state. He maintains that these girls have been raped and he needs the medical records to help prosecute the rapists. Abortion clinics say “no.”
(Reading: “Kansas supreme court hears arguments in abortion medical records case,” Medical News Today, 9/9/05)
(Commentary: “Privacy and predators,” American Life League, 9/15/05)
birth control pill
CANCER RISK: The World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations has called attention to the results of a recent World Health Organization study, which highlighted the relationship between the pill and cancer. Their warning is accompanied by an invitation to doctors and all healthcare providers to spread the world about NFP.
(Reading: “Oral contraceptives and the risk of cancer,” Zenit, 9/8/05)
euthanasia
GEORGE FELOS: The attorney for Michael Schiavo, Terri Schiavo’s husband, has joined the board of pro-euthanasia Project Grace.
(Reading: “Staff / directors,” Project Grace)
(Background: “Portrait of a spiritual killer: George Felos in his own words,” Crisis, 9/12/05)
human embryos
THREE PARENTS! British scientists have received permission to create human embryos having three genetic parents, thus opening the door for germ-line genetic engineering. This is so because, according to reports, any “children born would carry added genes that would be passed to successive generations.”
(Reading: “Scientists win right to create human embryo with three genetic parents,” Times of London, 9/8/05)
in vitro fertilization
SPECIAL BABIES? In discussing the increased risk faced by the expectant mother whose baby is the result of IVF versus those who carry babies conceived naturally, medical writers conclude that the word “precious” when applied to pregnancy is a word that should be used to describe every pregnancy, since “there are no pregnancies that shouldn’t” be defined as precious.
(Reading: “The myth of the precious baby,” Obstetrics and Gynecology, 9/1/05, pp. 607-609)
morning-after abortion pills
ADOLESCENTS: Researchers studied 2,117 teens that had “improved access” to morning-after pills, and concluded that while they used the pills “more frequently,” this did not compromise their use of routine contraception nor increase their sexual risk behavior.
COMMENT: Marketing chemical abortion is clearly more important than marketing virtue.
(Reading: “The effect of increased access to emergency contraception among young adolescents,” Obstetrics and Gynecology, 9/1/05, pp. 483-491)
sterilization
ILLINOIS: Kirsten Johnson is 26 years old and is disabled. Her aunt, Vera Howse, has gone to court to have the young woman sterilized. Johnson opposes the sterilization but a judge has decided that since Kirsten “would suffer irreparable psychological damage” if she had a child, she should be sterilized.
(Reading: “Should Kirsten Johnson be allowed to have kids?” Chicago Sun Times, 8/21/05)
wisdom
FR. PAUL SCALIA: “The purpose of excommunication is not to get rid of someone but to shock the person into asking forgiveness. Further, by removing a cause of scandal and division, excommunication serves the good of the Church. It clarifies the Church’s teachings and requirements for Communion, and so it prevents further harm to the body of Christ.”
(Reading: “Gospel commentary: Correctional facility,” Arlington Catholic Herald, 9/1/05)
zinger
HURRICANE RELIEF: The National Abortion Federation announces, “On a limited basis, [NAF] hotline staff also may be able to help raise the funds necessary to help cover the cost of quality abortion care.”
COMMENT: Devastated by the hurricane? Why not kill your baby too!
(Reading: “Women’s reproductive health care in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,” National Abortion Federation; “Group offers free abortions for hurricane survivors,” American Life League news release, 9/13/05)
reflection for prayer
HUMILITY: “Humility will teach us to beware of our inherent weakness. The true obstacle to faith is pride. ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ [James 4:6] We have to ask often for humility.”
(Reading: In Conversation With God, Vol. 5, pp 22-23)